The impact of incontinence on an individual can be devastating in terms of a person’s ability to participate in many life areas, including the confidence to gain employment, or increased social isolation due to the stigma of being incontinent in public. In a recent study of intermittent catheter users, a participant was quoted stating: “If I had the choice to walk again or get back the use of my bowel and bladder, I would rather have the use of my bowel and bladder and use a wheelchair the rest of my life and never walk again”1.
Until recently there has been limited opportunities for Australians to access the funding they need to best meet their continence needs. With the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) the reimbursement landscape has shifted, providing an opportunity for participants to access the funding they need so that they can live a happy and fulfilling life with minimal interference from their incontinence.
Coloplast recently conducted an NDIS participant survey2 and found that:
- Unless continence is actively raised by the participant or the planner it may completely missed all together. 25% of survey participants did not have continence raised during their planning meeting.
- Participants said: “I didn’t even know I could have included continence products on the plan” and “I would have appreciated more information about the different products available before my planning meeting”.
- 40% of participants would like to make changes to their continence funding in their next NDIS meeting.
“Many are unaware that CAPs and other state and federal based schemes will cease as they slowly transition into the NDIS,” says Simone and Michelle, continence and NDIS advisors in Coloplast Consumer Care, “Similarily there are those who do not realise that they can access continence supports under the NDIS, but still be living a normal life with work and family”.
The Consumer Care team at Coloplast collectively have more than 30 years experience within continence care and talk to more than 250 people every day to help them make the right choices. The team guide participants in how to navigate the NDIS, by helping them prepare for their NDIS conversations, document the continence supports they need, and explore other continence solutions that may help them live a more active and rewarding life.
Visit Coloplast at the Nepean Disability Expo, Platinum Booth 3 or Call the free Coloplast continence hotline on 1800 880 427 to discuss your needs in a safe and confidential environment. No question is silly or too small.